New research has found that nearly a quarter of the world’s population will be obese within the next 30 years.
Researchers from the US, UK and Denmark are warning that the world will face ‘staggering health challenges’ unless the trends are reversed.
The study warns that, unless international efforts to tackle obesity are "significantly intensified," some 22.4% of the world’s population will be obese by 2045.
Did you know that living with #obesity can increase the risk of developing a range of #cardiovascular diseases? #ECO2018 pic.twitter.com/Slr7cndh5p
— Novo Nordisk (@novonordisk) May 23, 2018
It also warns that one-in-eight people will be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by 2045, as a result of insulin resistance brought on by obesity.
The research is set to be presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna.
We need to change the way we think about obesity https://t.co/aZ2mU58Pzp #health pic.twitter.com/bQ9yb1567l
— World Economic Forum (@wef) May 21, 2018
Sarah Keogh, dietician at eatwell.ie said different aspects of the diet can cause diabetes.
“We do know that certainly quite a lot of people who get obesity will go on to develop diabetes as well,” she said.
“There is a certainly a lot of research as to why some people with obesity go on to develop diabetes and why some don’t.
“Certainly aspects of diet may play a role with that in terms of the types of fat that somebody is eating may be a driver with it.”
Reporting from Kim Buckley